GEOG 1113L
LAB 7
Assignment Online
River Systems
Georgia State University
, Lab 7: River Systems
GEOG 1113L – Introduction to Landforms Lab
Name: Brandon Thomas
I. How Rivers Shape the Landscape
1. What are the two defining factors that distinguish how water moves in a stream? (3 points)
Erosional forces and Gravity.
2. What are the different sources of water in a stream system? Tributaries and Channel. (3 points)
Water enters into the system through Precipitation, Snowmelt, and underground springs.
3. What are the different names for the entire area that encompasses the main channel and all of
its tributaries, all of which drain to a single point? (6 points)
Stream system, drainage basin, or watershed.
4. Describe what first order streams are. (3 points)
First order streams are streams with no tributaries. Often the headwaters which are spring-
fed streams at a higher elevation than the rest of the drainage basin. A first order stream may
be very small, seasonal or ephemeral and not have a formal name.
5. What is stream gradient and what is its primary influence? (3 points)
A stream gradient is the elevation the stream drops over a given distance. It influences the
stream energy, or how much work the stream can do.
6. Stream load describes how much sediment a stream can carry and dissolve. (2 points)
7. As the stream gradient and velocity of the river changes, stream load changes as well. High
velocity carries a suspended load (fine particles), while low velocity carries a bed load. (4 points)
8. What is the difference in location between an alluvial fan and a delta? (3 points)
An alluvial fan often appears at the base of a mountain. A delta can be at the mouth or end of
the zambezi river as it flows out into the Indian ocean.
9. Describe a river with high sinuosity. (3 points)
Sinuosity is the meanders, or the bends in a river. A river with high sinuosity is a river that has
a very meandering course. This means that the river bends and turns frequently, forming a
series of loops and curves.
10. In a meandering river, the inner side of the river is slower and deposits sediment, while the
outer side of the river is faster and deeper. (4 points)
LAB 7
Assignment Online
River Systems
Georgia State University
, Lab 7: River Systems
GEOG 1113L – Introduction to Landforms Lab
Name: Brandon Thomas
I. How Rivers Shape the Landscape
1. What are the two defining factors that distinguish how water moves in a stream? (3 points)
Erosional forces and Gravity.
2. What are the different sources of water in a stream system? Tributaries and Channel. (3 points)
Water enters into the system through Precipitation, Snowmelt, and underground springs.
3. What are the different names for the entire area that encompasses the main channel and all of
its tributaries, all of which drain to a single point? (6 points)
Stream system, drainage basin, or watershed.
4. Describe what first order streams are. (3 points)
First order streams are streams with no tributaries. Often the headwaters which are spring-
fed streams at a higher elevation than the rest of the drainage basin. A first order stream may
be very small, seasonal or ephemeral and not have a formal name.
5. What is stream gradient and what is its primary influence? (3 points)
A stream gradient is the elevation the stream drops over a given distance. It influences the
stream energy, or how much work the stream can do.
6. Stream load describes how much sediment a stream can carry and dissolve. (2 points)
7. As the stream gradient and velocity of the river changes, stream load changes as well. High
velocity carries a suspended load (fine particles), while low velocity carries a bed load. (4 points)
8. What is the difference in location between an alluvial fan and a delta? (3 points)
An alluvial fan often appears at the base of a mountain. A delta can be at the mouth or end of
the zambezi river as it flows out into the Indian ocean.
9. Describe a river with high sinuosity. (3 points)
Sinuosity is the meanders, or the bends in a river. A river with high sinuosity is a river that has
a very meandering course. This means that the river bends and turns frequently, forming a
series of loops and curves.
10. In a meandering river, the inner side of the river is slower and deposits sediment, while the
outer side of the river is faster and deeper. (4 points)
